Winter Wonderland

I've been motivated by a goals poster that I put together on retreat and by a friend who inspires me to blog more often (thank you Andrea Strom) because she is so good at keeping up on her family. So my hope is to blog at least once a week, maybe then it will become more of a habit and help as I work on future scrapbooks. (Which leads to another goal of getting both of Jacksons scrapbooks done soon. Motivate me please!

It's been a great week. This past weekend kept Michael busy with MCC (Young Life's Mission Community Conference). It was the first time that the Heartland Region partnered with Chicago and it made it a wonderful feel. Tons of people, great worship, awesome speaker Mike "Ash"burn and lots of energy from leaders and staff. Jackson made a brief appearance but we know all too well that expecting him to sit still for long periods of time is too much to ask. :) It was great to be with the Verona team and to see so many friends we have met through the Young Life world. What an incredible ministry it is...we feel blessed to be a part of it.

Today was a SNOW DAY!!! Actually last night for me too since I don't go into work until 3:00 which is right when the blizzard warnings start. And holy cow did it howl! I haven't heard wind like that since I can't remember. We put up a tent in our living room last night to just cuddle up in front of movies with Jackson but he didn't even come close to falling asleep in it. He was too jacked up about the

It was crazy...and we woke up this morning to four-five feet drifts all around. It was crazy. We were lucky and thankful to the Ericksons for letting us use their snowblower and to Michael for spending hours outside this morning blowing us out. Jackson and I finally hit the outdoors towards the end of the day and took a ride in his sled to the park then walked him home. Needless to say he didn't want to come inside.

Jackson has been up to his same old lately but one thing I'm noticing that has changed in the past week is his interaction with his toys. He has this huge black stuffed gorilla (which he calls a monkey) that he has been talking to and playing pretend with. It's so endearing.